Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
This tour is a brand new addition to the our roster. Our first trip left in January. Therefore we have yet to fully determine the best way that we can make a positive impact on the regions that we visit. Our senior tour-leading staff is set to lead the trips and will be actively seeking ways that we can be constructive and responsible visitors to Vietnam.
To date we are encouraging maintenance of traditional handicrafts and supporting people with disabilities (in a region where disabilities can utterly preclude gainful employment) by visiting, and encouraging purchases from, the Hong Ngoc Humanity Centre in Sao Do town, near Hanoi. This is an entirely Vietnamese-run NGO, which allows disabled children and young adults to learn vocational skills relating to the manufacture and marketing of handicrafts. More on how we are having a positive impact on Vietnam soon.
Information: Providing suitable, relevant information for our customers; to help them to gain a wider understanding of our style of tourism that focuses on learning, genuine interaction with the local communities, reciprocity and cultural exchange processes. To be aware of the potential impact of tourism on the local society, culture and environment, and to behave and dress appropriately with a respect and appreciation for local customs, mores and traditions and a respect for the ecology of areas visited. Our guides and leaders thus facilitate communication of our values to both travellers and local communities, educating them in sustainable tourism practices
Group sizes: By limiting groups to small sizes we aim to reduce the impact on both local communities and the environment whilst allowing for greater genuine interaction with said communities. It also results in a higher guide/customer ratio thus greater facility for supervision and individual assistance and allows us to use smaller hotels and restaurants and employ the services of more genuinely ‘local’ operators perhaps not otherwise well equipped for larger groups.
Destinations: We combine the well known tourist sites with many off-the-beaten-track, rarely visited destinations thus diverting tourist revenue and contact with responsible tourism into areas not usually benefiting as well as providing a more authentic view of the region visited.
Local products: As much as possible we aim to employ local personnel, (guides, drivers, agents etc), use local restaurants and smaller privately owned accommodation. Customers are also encouraged to buy and use local products and services as much as possible in order to support and stimulate the local economy.
Instruction: By explaining our methods and the reasons behind them local agents, guides and hotels are encouraged by us to adopt further responsible tourism practices themselves and guides and drivers are provided with additional training in this respect.
This family-run company started in 1999 after the director, Mark, spent many years researching guide books in Asia and decided he could put together more exciting itineraries. His passion for the diversity and character of Asia is reflected in the unique, locally-owned places that the tours visit and travel groups are kept small so that closer interaction with their hosts is possible. Although Mark could happily survive for weeks on jam sandwiches while sleeping under the stars, he realises not all customers want this and goes out of his way to ensure all facilities used are pleasantly comfortable, clean, warm and welcoming.
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